High mortgage rates keep some divorced couples living together to preserve low loans
Couples across the U.S. are opting for unconventional co‑living arrangements after locking in low mortgage rates, prioritizing finances and stability over separate homes
Many divorced couples are choosing to remain on the same property rather than sell and take on a higher mortgage, a trend driven by historically low refinanced rates now out of reach amid elevated market interest rates.
One Florida couple, who finalized their divorce in April, refinanced their home at about a 2% interest rate and are living a few feet apart on the same lot rather than give up that loan, according to an account in The Wall Street Journal reported by The New York Post. Ryan Hambry lives in a beach bungalow while his ex, Morgan Dickson, sleeps in an Airstream trailer parked in the yard. Both cited the economics of the mortgage as a primary reason for maintaining the property.
The arrangement has presented practical and emotional challenges. Hambry told the outlet that “the finances can work,” but that setting boundaries is more difficult. “I’m not in her space all the time. She’s in mine more,” he said, adding that the proximity sometimes produces the feeling of being married despite the absence of intimacy.
Other household configurations have emerged for similar reasons. In South Carolina, a 25‑year‑old mother, Megan Meyer, said she, her current partner and her ex‑husband share a house to reduce expenses and maintain consistent parenting for their young children. Meyer described the setup as a “lifestyle of convenience” that brings both parents into the same home and eases childcare logistics.
Therapists and family experts who work with divorced parents said such arrangements can work financially but require careful planning and emotional maturity. Kerrie Mohr, a New York City relationship therapist with 25 years’ experience, advised that “both parents must have enough emotional maturity to live with their ex, as well as his or her new partner.” She added that setting clear boundaries, establishing communication strategies and focusing on the reason for the arrangement are crucial for success.
Housing market dynamics have made staying put more attractive for homeowners who refinanced during the era of historically low rates. While home‑sale decisions typically reflect a mix of financial and personal considerations, lenders and housing analysts have noted that consumers who hold low‑rate mortgages may be reluctant to give them up and finance new purchases at current higher rates.
Legal and financial advisers say the arrangements also raise practical questions that couples should address formally. Issues such as ownership shares, responsibility for maintenance and utilities, custody and visitation logistics, and contingencies for future sale or relocation benefit from written agreements. Attorneys and mediators often recommend clarifying who holds title to the property, how expenses will be divided and what will trigger a sale.
Experts also caution that the model is not suitable for every family. Beyond the need for emotional readiness, co‑residence with an ex may complicate the introduction of new partners, blur parenting roles and expose children to ongoing tensions if boundaries are not enforced. When adults can compartmentalize and prioritize shared financial and parental goals, the arrangement can provide short‑term stability and reduce housing costs. When they cannot, professionals say, it risks extending conflict.
As mortgage rates and housing prices continue to shape household decisions, these unconventional living arrangements illustrate how economic forces can influence family structure. For some families, keeping a low‑rate mortgage and preserving a degree of home stability outweighs the traditional separation of households after divorce; for others, the emotional costs make separate residences the preferred path.
Local housing counselors, family therapists and legal advisers recommend couples considering co‑residence after divorce discuss expectations in advance, document financial and custodial agreements, and revisit arrangements periodically to ensure they remain in the best interests of all parties, especially children.